After serving on the Dearing Town Council for slightly less than one year, Mike McTier would like to stay awhile. He was appointed to the council in January to replace Councilman Kristopher Wells, who had resigned his position.

Since then, Mr. McTier said he's learned some things.

"It's much more laid back and interactive than I thought it'd be," he said recently. "And it's easier to get things done than I thought, although I guess it seems easy because we have the right people doing it."

Mr. McTier's position on the council required him to take over keeping the community clean, sending letters to violators with junk in their yards, organizing the annual town cleanup and working to increase recycling locally.

"I'm proud of the cleanup day success. We doubled the amount we collected last year, and I'm sure we will again next year as the word gets around," Mr. McTier said.

Another thing that makes Mr. McTier proud is the Dearing Gym renovation accomplished by the town council, "even though that was before my time," he said.

If elected, he'd like to see continued cleanup and development in the town, more involvement with the annual Mayfest and the implementation of more community activities.

As a parent and former recreation department volunteer coach, Mr. McTier said he'd also like to see more recreational opportunities in Dearing.

Employed at Fort Gordon for eight years, Mr. McTier maintains a power generator plan for a contractor.

Married to his wife, Lynne, the couple have a son, Dillon, who is a junior at Thomson High School and plays on the football team. Mr. McTier's stepson, Josh Davis, also is a graduate of THS. His parents, Lindy and Jan McTier, also live in Dearing.

"I grew up a mile out of town in the country," he said. "Then I got married and moved downtown."

When he isn't working or keeping the community clean, Mr. McTier said he enjoys racing cars on a dirt track, fishing, hunting, farming "and, of course, Friday night football."